Celebrating the heritage

semolina cookies

savoury bites

I grew up celebrating a Hindu festival called Divali It is the Festival of Lights plus a whole lot more for all Indians.  I grew up totally ignorant of the Hindu and Sikh meanings for the festival, I only knew that we got new clothes, mum and dad had parties and we made lots of sweet and savoury snacks.  We used to be dragged kicking and screaming into the kitchen days before, to help mum bake, fry and cook.

family with sparklers

cornflake cookies

Now we push mum into the kitchen to bake, fry and cook with us. We light candles at night and have a few (legal) fireworks.  Its family time more than anything else.

My niece with her henna

Lots of hanging colourful decorations

colourful clothes galore

the street in little india

buying sweet 

The garland makers

There is always a market in the area called Little India where people can go buy ornaments, candle holders and all sorts of bright colourful things to make the home brighter.  Fresh flowers, an amazing array of bright new clothes and henna.

getting Hennaed